119 research outputs found
Practical implementation of a hybrid indoor localization system
Mestrado de dupla diplomação com a UTFPR - Universidade Tecnológica Federal do ParanáIndoor localization systems occupy a significant role to track objects during their life
cycle, e.g., related to retail, logistics and mobile robotics. These positioning systems use
several techniques and technologies to estimate the position of each object, and face several
requirements such as position accuracy, security, coverage range, energy consumption and
cost. This master thesis describes a real-world scenario implementation, based on Bluetooth
Low Energy (BLE) beacons, evaluating a Hybrid Indoor Positioning System (H-IPS)
that combines two RSSI-based approaches: Multilateration (MLT) and Fingerprinting
(FP). The objective is to track a target node, assuming that the object follows a linear
motion model. It was employed Kalman Filter (KF) to decrease the positioning errors of
the MLT and FP techniques. Furthermore a Track-to-Track Fusion (TTF) is performed
on the two KF outputs in order to maximize the performance. The results show that the
accuracy of H-IPS overcomes the standalone FP in 21%, while the original MLT is outperformed
in 52%. Finally, the proposed solution demonstrated a probability of error < 2 m
of 80%, while the same probability for the FP and MLT are 56% and 20%, respectively.Os sistemas de localização de ambientes internos desempenham um papel importante
na localização de objectos durante o seu ciclo de vida, como por exemplo os relacionados
com o varejo, a logística e a robótica móvel. Estes sistemas de localização utilizam várias
técnicas e tecnologias para estimar a posição de cada objecto, e possuem alguns critérios
tais como precisão, segurança, alcance, consumo de energia e custo. Esta dissertação
de mestrado descreve uma implementação num cenário real, baseada em Bluetooth Low
Energy (BLE) beacons, avaliando um Sistema Híbrido de Posicionamento para Ambientes
Internos (H-IPS, do inglês Hybrid Indoor Positioning System) que combina duas abordagens
baseadas no Indicador de Intensidade do Sinal Recebido (RSSI, do inglês Received
Signal Strength Indicator): Multilateração (MLT) e Fingerprinting (FP). O objectivo é
localizar um nó alvo, assumindo que o objecto segue um modelo de movimento linear.
Foi utilizado Filtro de Kalman (FK) para diminuir os erros de posicionamento do MLT
e FP, além de aplicar uma fusão de vetores de estado nas duas saídas FK, a fim de
maximizar o desempenho. Os resultados mostram que a precisão do H-IPS supera o FP
original em 21%, enquanto que o MLT original tem um desempenho superior a 52%. Finalmente,
a solução proposta apresentou uma probabilidade de erro de < 2 m de 80%,
enquanto a mesma probabilidade para FP e MLT foi de 56% e 20%, respectivamente
Impact of intergrating teebus hydro power on the unbalanced distribution MV network
Small hydro power sources have been identified as one of the renewable energy technologies that the South African government is focusing on in order to generate more electricity from renewable/independent resources. Due to the low carbon output of most renewable energy technologies and the carbon intensive power generation technologies that are currently being used in South Africa e.g. Hydro, coal, gas, and etc. further pressure is increasing to incorporate cleaner forms of generation. In 2002 a study focusing on the hydropower potential was compiled providing an assessment according to conventional and unconventional possibilities for all the provinces. Nowadays, the power electricity demand is growing fast and one of the main tasks for power engineers is to generate electricity from renewable energy sources to overcome this increase in the energy consumption and at the same time reduce environmental impact of power generation. Eskom Distribution Eastern Cape Operating Unit (ECOU) was requested to investigate the feasibility of connecting a small hydro power scheme located in the Teebus area in the Eastern Cape. The Eastern Cape in particular, was identified as potentially the most productive area for small hydroelectric development in South Africa for both the grid connected and off grid applications. These network conditions are in contrast to the South African electricity network where long radial feeders with low X/R ratios and high resistance, spanning large geographic areas, give rise to low voltages on the network. Practical simulation networks have been used to test the conditions set out in the South African Grid Code/NERSA standard and to test the impact of connecting small hydro generation onto the unbalanced distribution network. These networks are representative of various real case scenarios of the South African distribution network. Most of the findings from the simulations were consistent with what was expected when comparing with other literatures. From the simulation results it was seen that the performance of the variable speed generators were superior to that of the fixed speed generators during transient conditions. It was also seen that the weakness of the network had a negative effect on the stability of the system. It is also noted that the stability studies are a necessity when connecting the generators to a network and that each case should be reviewed individually. The fundamental cause of voltage instability is identified as incapability of combined distribution and generation system to meet excessive load demand in either real power or reactive power form
A Methodology for Trustworthy IoT in Healthcare-Related Environments
The transition to the so-called retirement years, comes with the freedom to pursue old passions
and hobbies that were not possible to do in the past busy life. Unfortunately, that freedom
does not come alone, as the previous young years are gone, and the body starts to feel the
time that passed. The necessity to adapt elder way of living, grows as they become more prone
to health problems. Often, the solution for the attention required by the elders is nursing
homes, or similar, that take away their so cherished independence.
IoT has the great potential to help elder citizens stay healthier at home, since it has the
possibility to connect and create non-intrusive systems capable of interpreting data and act
accordingly. With that capability, comes the responsibility to ensure that the collected data is
reliable and trustworthy, as human wellbeing may rely on it. Addressing this uncertainty is the
motivation for the presented work.
The proposed methodology to reduce this uncertainty and increase confidence relies on
a data fusion and a redundancy approach, using a sensor set. Since the scope of wellbeing
environment is wide, this thesis focuses its proof of concept on the detection of falls inside
home environments, through an android app using an accelerometer sensor and a micro-
phone. The experimental results demonstrates that the implemented system has more than
80% of reliable performance and can provide trustworthy results. Currently the app is being
tested also in the frame of the European Union projects Smart4Health and Smart Bear.A transição para os chamados anos de reforma, vem com a liberdade de perseguir velhas pai-
xões e passatempos que na passada vida ocupada não eram possíveis de realizar. Infelizmente,
essa liberdade não vem sozinha, uma vez que os anos jovens anteriores terminaram, e o corpo
começa a sentir o tempo que passou. A necessidade de adaptar o modo de vida dos menos
jovens, cresce à medida que estes se tornam mais propensos a problemas de saúde. Muitas
vezes, a solução para a atenção que os mais idosos necessitam são os lares de idosos, ou
similares, que lhes tiram a tão querida independência.
IoT tem o grande potencial de ajudar os cidadãos idosos a permanecerem mais saudá-
veis em casa, uma vez que tem a possibilidade de se ligar e criar sistemas não intrusivos capa-
zes de interpretar dados e agir em conformidade. Com essa capacidade, vem a responsabili-
dade de assegurar que os dados recolhidos são fiáveis e de confiança, uma vez que o bem-
estar humano possa depender dos mesmos. Abordar esta incerteza é a motivação para o tra-
balho apresentado.
A metodologia proposta para reduzir esta incerteza e aumentar a confiança no sistema
baseia-se numa fusão de dados e numa abordagem de redundância, utilizando um conjunto
de sensores. Uma vez que o assunto de bem-estar e saúde é vasto, esta tese concentra a sua
prova de conceito na deteção de quedas dentro de ambientes domésticos, através de uma
aplicação android, utilizando um sensor de acelerómetro e um microfone. Os resultados expe-
rimentais demonstram que o sistema implementado tem um desempenho superior a 80% e
pode fornecer dados fiáveis. Atualmente a aplicação está a ser testada também no âmbito dos
projetos da União Europeia Smart4Health e Smart Bear
Medical Informatics
Information technology has been revolutionizing the everyday life of the common man, while medical science has been making rapid strides in understanding disease mechanisms, developing diagnostic techniques and effecting successful treatment regimen, even for those cases which would have been classified as a poor prognosis a decade earlier. The confluence of information technology and biomedicine has brought into its ambit additional dimensions of computerized databases for patient conditions, revolutionizing the way health care and patient information is recorded, processed, interpreted and utilized for improving the quality of life. This book consists of seven chapters dealing with the three primary issues of medical information acquisition from a patient's and health care professional's perspective, translational approaches from a researcher's point of view, and finally the application potential as required by the clinicians/physician. The book covers modern issues in Information Technology, Bioinformatics Methods and Clinical Applications. The chapters describe the basic process of acquisition of information in a health system, recent technological developments in biomedicine and the realistic evaluation of medical informatics
Intelligent Circuits and Systems
ICICS-2020 is the third conference initiated by the School of Electronics and Electrical Engineering at Lovely Professional University that explored recent innovations of researchers working for the development of smart and green technologies in the fields of Energy, Electronics, Communications, Computers, and Control. ICICS provides innovators to identify new opportunities for the social and economic benefits of society. This conference bridges the gap between academics and R&D institutions, social visionaries, and experts from all strata of society to present their ongoing research activities and foster research relations between them. It provides opportunities for the exchange of new ideas, applications, and experiences in the field of smart technologies and finding global partners for future collaboration. The ICICS-2020 was conducted in two broad categories, Intelligent Circuits & Intelligent Systems and Emerging Technologies in Electrical Engineering
Solar thermal heating and cooling. A bibliography with abstracts
This bibliographic series cites and abstracts the literature and technical papers on the heating and cooling of buildings with solar thermal energy. Over 650 citations are arranged in the following categories: space heating and cooling systems; space heating and cooling models; building energy conservation; architectural considerations, thermal load computations; thermal load measurements, domestic hot water, solar and atmospheric radiation, swimming pools; and economics
- …